Omnidirectional exhaust ventilator



May 14, 1968 B. o. HOWARD OMNIDIRECTIONAL EXHAUST VENTILATOR Filed Aug.16, 1965 INVENTQE BEN O How/42D ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,382,792()MNIDCTIONAL EXHAUST VENTILATOR Ban 0. Howard, 431 Homewood Road,

Los Angeles, Calif. 90049 Filed Aug. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 479,734 3Claims. (Cl. 98-78) The invention relates to a ventilator of astationary type useful in ventilating shops, houses, boats, housetrailers and virtually any type of space or chamber from which .airneeds to be drawn outwardly to the atomsphere.

Although forced ventilating means are always effective for exhaustingstale air from a chamber of any kind, any type of forced ventilationrequires an appreciable amount of equipment, moving parts to beinstalled and serviced and the attendant expense. F or that reasonnatural ventilation is made use of to a very great extent even though inmany instances it is relatively inadequate. Some of the inadequaciesarise from the fact that ventilators are too small to pass a suflicientvolume of air outwardly. More frequently the trouble lies in the factthat outer portions of the ventilators are poorly designed for theirintended purpose, namely passing air outwardly to the atmosphere againsta variety of atmospheric conditions which may involve wind blowing inthe wrong direction, currents and turbulence caused by surroundingstructures and, on occasions, a disadvantageous temperaturedifferential. The most common impediment to good natural draftventilation is the presence of wind blowing in one direction or another.To overcome the disadvantageous effect of wind some ventilators areprovided with vanes employed for the purpose of orienting an adjustableventilator hatch so that the opening is always downwind irrespective ofwhich direction the wind may be blowing. This of course requires amechanism involving moving parts which can on occasion get stuck.Especially even though the ventilator hatch is directed downwind it isreally designed to take advantage of the movement of air and often onthe contrary is of such design that eddy currents of air generated bythe wind actually block the free flow outwardly from the ventilator. Onshipboard some use is made of ventilating funnels but these are strictlydirectional and need to be turned in the proper direction dependingupon, in part, the progress of the ship, and in partupon the directionof the prevailing wind. If such ventilators are set in the wrongdirection they work in reverse and fail to serve as a proper ventilatingmedia.

On still other occasions where stationary or relatively stationaryventilators are employed they must be roofed over or otherwise protectedfrom rainfall and dirt. Some use has been made of rotating spheres androtating vanes of various kinds which tend to shield the ventilatingopening. Most vanes of the type currently employed have a tendency toimpede the free flow of air and minimize the full effect of theventilating system.

It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide a new andimproved stationary type of ventilator which is capable of performingeffectively irrespective of which way air may be circulating about it,and without necessity for any adjustment to accommodate the direction ofcirculation of air.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedstationary type of ventilator which works equally effectivelyirrespective of the direction of air circulation and which at the sametime is so arranged that rain and dirt cannot find its way int-o theoutlet opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedstationary type ventilator of such construction that air in motion aboutthe outlet is made use of to greatly accelerate the ventilating effect.

3,382,792 Patented May 14, 1968 Still another object of the invention isto provide a new and improved stationary type multidirectionalventilating device capable of being used on a stationary structure orupon a moving vehicle, the device being of such design as to alwaysassure a markedly improved ventilating effect.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedmultidirectional stationary type ventilating device which works withequal effectiveness whether used in upright or horizontal position or infact in any desired position, which is relatively inexpensive to build,easy to install, capable of being constructed of virtually any availableinexpensive sheet material, and which at the same time is attractive inappearance, or which can be cast, or molded of synthetic plastic resinmaterial.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of thedevice, whereby the ob jects contemplated are attained, as hereinafterset forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a typical ventilator embodying the inventionand showing the pressure pattern resulting from air flowing about it inone direction.

FIGURE 2 is a graph of the pressure pattern produced by the air flowingabout the device as pictured in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal view substantially cut away showing one formof the invention.

FIGURES 4, 4a, and 4b are side sectional views showing different windconditions.

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a slightly modifiedform of the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of still another form of theinvention.

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the invention in stillanother form.

FIGURE 7a is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 7a of FIGURE7.

In a device chosen for the purpose of illustration there is shown astationary type ventilator comprising an outflow pipe section It} havinga passageway 11 therethrough terminating in an outlet opening 12. Aninner hollow body 13 has an outer wall forming a substantially outwardlyprojecting surface 1 and an inner wall comprising a projecting surfacefacing in an opposite direction from the surface 14. On those occasionswhere the body is constructed of sheet material, it may be built in twosections, one forming the surface 14 and the other forming the convexsurface 15 which when assembled and connected along a seam 16 forms aspace 17. At the seam 16 is a rounded edge 18 which extendscircumferentially around the body. A flange 19 defining a hole 20coincides with the outlet opening 12, the flange 19 being fastened tothe outflow pipe section It) in some appropriate manner as for exampleby solder. A solder or weld line 22 fastens the central portion of thewall forming the convex surface 15 to the outflow pipe section 10.

An outer hollow body 25 is constructed of one sheet metal portionforming an inwardly substantially convex surface 26 and another sheetmetal portion forming an outwardly substantially convex surface 27. Thesheet metal portions are joined along a seam 28 forming a hollow space29 within the body. The body moreover adjacent the seam 28 is in theform of an annular rounded edge 30.

Stanchions like the stanchions 31 and 32 hold the outer hollow body 25in position over the inner hollow body 13.

Constructed as shown there is a passageway 34 formed between the surface14 and the surface 26 which has a 3 center depth 35 substantially lessthan an outside depth 36. The structure accordingly resembles a venturior in fact a multidirectional venturi with the throat at the center, andthe enlarged inlet and outlet at diametric extremities irrespective ofthe direction of air flow past the device.

As an example of the effect produced by the configuration disclosedreference is made to FIGURES 1 and 2. On the assumption that a current37 of air produced by any means impinges upon a point 38 of the annularbody 25 producing a pressure at the point 38 of one inch of water at thechosen velocity, there will be a sufficient increase in velocity at thepoints 39 and 40 to generate a negative pressure of about 2.5 inches ofwater. As the current of air passes and converges on the sidediametrically opposite the point 38 at about the area 41 there willremain a negative pressure of about -.4 inch of water. In the graph ofFIGURE 2 pressure is plotted in a vertical direction in inches of wateragainst a distance in a horizontal direction from the initial point ofimpact.

A comparable effect takes place at the outlet opening 12 at the centerwhere the velocity of the air current 37 is greatly increased causingthe creation of a negative pressure at the outlet opening capable ofdrawing air outwardly through the passageway 11. The ventilating effectproduced in this fashion will increase depending upon the increase invelocity of the current of air. This will be true whether the current isthe result of wind or whether it is the result of movement of a vehicleupon which the ventilator is mounted.

Reference to FIGURES 4, 4a, and 4b will be helpful in explaining theventilating action resulting from wind approaching from relativelydifferent directions. For example in FIGURE 4 let it be assumed that thewind direction as shown by the arrow is horizontal. Passage of wind isgenerally shown by the arrows. In this form of the device there will behigh pressure generated at the locations marked H and low pressure atthe locations marked L.

When under other circumstances as in FIGURE 4a the wind direction is ina downwardly oblique path as shown by the arrow. High pressure areas areindicated by the letter H and low pressure areas by the letter L. Inthis instance there will be some suction generated through thepassageway 11 by venturi action similar to that generated in FIGURE 4but most of the suction generated is due to the fact that the openingbetween the outer hollow body 25 and the inner hollow body 13communicates with the low pressure area which is around the sphereperpendicular to the direction of the wind.

In the example of FIGURE 4b the wind may be assumed to be approachingvertically downwardly as indicated by the arrow. In this instance thereis no venturi effect since air does not pass through the passageway 34,as in the case of FIGURES 4 and 4a. In this instance air within thepassage 34 travels entirely outwardly with respect to the passageway 11,traveling to the low pressure area surrounding the composite device at alocation perpendicular to the direction of the wind.

Although the reason for generating suction in the passageway 11 differsin the different instances, nevertheless in all wind conditions it willbe apparent from the explanation that the ventilator functions to drawair outwardly through the passageway 11.

In the form of device of FIGURE substantially the same structuralrelationship is employed except that in this instance the outflow ofpipe section of two parts, namely an inner part 45 and an outer part 46,the outer part in fact being struck as a flange from a wall forming asubstantially outwardly projecting surface 47. Another wall forming aninwardly directed substantially convex surface 48 is joined to the wallforming the surface 47 along a seam 49 thereby to create a space 50. Thepart 45 of the pipe section terminates in an opening 51 whereby apassageway 52 communicates with the space 50 and through the space 50and the opening formed by the flange 46 to the atmosphere. A flange 53is employed to mount the inner hollow body 44 upon the part of the pipesection.

In this form of device there is provided an inertia fan 55 on a shaft 56which is mounted by appropriate means (not shown) in the part 45 of thepipe section. By making use of an inertia fan a more steadily continuingoutward flow of air is maintained through the pipe section undercircumstances where there may be a variation in the velocity of air flowpast the device on the outside, whether created by gusty winds or achange in the speed of a vehicle upon which the device may be mounted.If desired a motor winding 57 may be provided on the shaft 56 to drivethe fan as a vent fan. When not in use as a motor the winding acts as afly wheel to improve the inertia effect.

In the form of device of FIGURE 6 a somewhat more simple version of theinvention is shown. A vent pipe 60 containing a damper 61 extendsthrough a wall 62 of some appropriate structure. At the outer end of thevent pipe is a body 63 consisting of a wall forming an outwardlyprojecting surface 64. A flat wall 65 closing the opposite side of thebody 63 may be employed for added strength. The body may be fastened tothe vent pipe by appropriate conventional means as for example bysoldering. The vent pipe 60 terminates in an outlet opening 66 at thecenter of the surface 64. A canopy 67 is supported by stanchions 68spaced outwardly relative to the outlet opening 66. The canopy 67 isformed and located appropriately so as to provide a center depth 70substantially less than a depth 71 around the periphery.

Constructed in this fashion when there is an air flow created betweenthe surface 64 and the inside surface of the canopy 67 increases in thevelocity at the center opposite the opening 66 thereby creates anegative pressure and outflow from the vent pipe 60.

In the form of invention of FIGURES 7 and 7a the ventilator is shownmounted flush with the surface of a roof 70. The roof is shown on aslope, as being the more critical type of installation, but the angle ofthe roof is not of primary significance and the ventilator would operateas efficiently upon a horizontal roof as long as air moves parallel tothe roof surface. Air movement in this case also may either be wind ormovement generated by actual movement of the ventilator.

A pipe section 71 extends upwardly from a chamber 72 being ventilated tothe exterior, the pipe being provided with an inlet opening 73 and anoutlet opening 74. A seal 75 is provided at the junction of the roof 70with the pipe section '71. A dome indicated generally by the referencecharacter 76 surmounts the outlet opening 74. Although the dome is shownas a partial sphere it is important only that a central portion 77 bespaced at a substantial distance from the surface of the roof 70 andthat its perimeter 78 be located adjacent the surface of the roof at asubstantial distance from the pipe section 71. In this relationship andassigning the reference character 79 to the surface of the roof 70 whichlies within the perimeter 78 as a surface element, the distance betweenthe surface elements diminishes progressively from that at the centralportion 77 where it is a maximum to that at the perimeter 78 where it iszero. Although a dome shape has been shown in hemispherical form afrusto-conical shape or other appropriate shapes are operative.

A vent opening 80 surrounded by an outwardly extending flange 80 islocated in the central portion 77 and is substantially in alignment withthe outlet opening 74 along a line drawn perpendicular to the surface ofthe roof 70. A rain shield 81 secured by a spider 82 to the dome 76 ispreferably slightly larger in area than the outlet opening 74 and coversthe outlet opening so that rain cannot enter the pipe section 71.

On the low side of the dome 76 there is provided a drain hole 63 topermit any water entering through the vent opening 80 to flow out alongthe surface of the roof.

In this form of device as long as wind blows parallel to the surface ofthe roof, in the direction of the arrows indicated, a low pressure areawill be generated adjacent the vent opening 80. For the same reasons asdefined in the first described forms of the invention this will causeair to pass upwardly from the chamber 72 in the direction of the arrowsshown in the vent pipe and thence into a space 84 within the dome,around the rain shield 81 and ultimately outward-1y through the ventopening 80. Although there may be some diminution of low pressureeffectiveness caused by the drain hole 83 the area of the drain hole isnot large enough to cause any marked change in the ventilating action,and the flow of air inward through the drain hole is not sufficient topermit the rain water to drain out. In this form of device, if desired,the same inertia fan may be used as was described in connection withFIGURE 5.

Since the geometry of the elements making up the spherical form of theventilator and the spaced relationship is fixed and permanent,ventilating action can always be depending on whenever there is airmovement relative to the device. Movement, of course, may be the resulteither of wind or movement of the device itself, as for example airmovement created when the device is mounted on a moving vehicle and thevehicle moved relative to the air. Air speed is not critical andventilation will be successful at a great variety of different speeds.

While the invention has herein been shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is.recognized thatdepartures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims 5-0 as to any and allequivalent devices.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new in support ofLetters Patent is:

1. An exterior omnidirectional ventilator for an interior chambercomprising a first surface element in one and having an outlet openingtherein in communication with said chamber, a second surface elementcomprising a substantially hemi-spheroidal imperforate dome over saidorifice section and providing a space between itself and said orificesection, the perimeter of said second surface element being coincidentand forming a junction with the perimeter of said orifice section, saidsecond surface element having a single centrally located opening thereincomprising a vent, said vent being located at substantially the centerof said dome, said vent having a substantially annular rim lying in aplane parallel to the plane of said junction, the distance between saidsurface elements being one diminishing at an increasing rate in allradial directions from the vent outwardly and toward said perimeter.

2. An exterior omnidirectional ventilator according to claim 1 includingan outwardly extending flange on the second surface element surroundingsaid vent opening, said flange having a rim lying in a plane parallel tothe plane of said junction.

3. An exterior omnidirectional ventilator for an interior chamberaccording to claim 1 wherein said first surface is a substantially planesurface and is parallel to said annular rim, and wherein the singlecentrally located opening forms the outermost portion of said dome.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,036,352 8/1912 Senter et al.98-19 1,574,880 2/ 1926 Garland 98-20 2,073,159 3/1937 Lintern et al.98-20 2,562,103 7/1951 Kline 98-20 2,878,744 3/ 1959 Silverman 98-663,238,862 3/1966 Smith et al. 98-42 FOREIGN PATENTS 838,855 6/1960 GreatBritain.

409,960 3/ 1945 Italy.

285,058 12/ 1952 Switzerland.

ROBERT A. OLEARY Primary Examiner.

M. A. ANTONAKA'S, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN EXTERIOR OMNIDIRECTIONAL VENTILATOR FOR AN INTERIOR CHAMBERCOMPRISING A FIRST SURFACE ELEMENT IN ONE PLANE FORMING AN EXTERIORPORTION OF SAID CHAMBER, AN ORIFICE SECTION FORMING PART OF SAID FIRSTSURFACE ELEMENT AND HAVING AN OUTLET OPENING THEREIN IN COMMUNICATIONWITH SAID CHAMBER, A SECOND SURFACE ELEMENT COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLYHEMI-SPHERIODIAL IMPERFORATE DOME OVER SAID ORIFICE SECTION ANDPROVIDING A SPACE BETWEEN ITSELF AND SAID ORIFICE SECTION, THE PERIMETEROF SAID SECOND SURFACE ELEMENT BEING COINCIDENT AND FORMING A JUNCTIONWITH THE PERIMETER OF SAID ORIFICE SECTION, SAID SECOND SURFACE ELEMENTHAVING A SINGLE CENTRALLY LOCATED OPENING THEREIN COMPRISING A VENT,SAID VENT BEING LOCATED AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE CENTER OF SAID DOME, SAIDVENT HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY ANNULAR RIM LYING IN A PLANE PARALLEL TO THEPLANE OF SAID JUNCTION, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID SURFACE ELEMENTS BEINGONE DIMINISHING AT AN INCREASING RATE IN ALL RADIAL DIRECTIONS FROM THEVENT OUTWARDLY AND TOWARD SAID PERIMETER.